Head has banned alcohol at a fundraiser - your views please!

[beansprout]

The PTA is holding a fundraising concert this week at our primary school. Various children will be doing their stuff from about 5-7pm and as with all PTA events, refreshments will be available as part of the fundraising effort.

We are a community school and a muslim teacher has indicated that if alcohol (wine) is sold, no muslim parents will attend. The head has now said that no alcohol can be sold at the event. The PTA have already bought the wine and can't see the problem and indeed, quite a few people are up in arms about this.

My view is that diversity is all about inclusion rather than exclusion so on that basis, it seems a bit odd. I don't drink at all so have no particular view on whether or not wine should be available at this event.

Could other people give me their views on this, in particular, what to do?!!

At our school, alcohol not allowed at any events that children attend, which I think is a good thing having seen DD's nursery teacher legless at an event at another school where alcohol was served and children were present! However, no problem with it being served at adult-only social events.

i would be annoyed. highlight of me and my mumfriend's school fete is the sneaky pint we treat ourselves to after faking interest and enthusiasm helping out on the "guess the country" game stall

never been to a school do where wine is offered.

As far as I am aware, Muslims are not banned from places where alcohol is sold - otherwise muslims couldn't go to Tesco!

Has anyone actually asked any of the Muslim parents what they think?

Just to add to the straw poll, we always offer wine at any school event that takes place after about 6ish - noever been any complaints!

several muslim children at our school - parents always help at fete

i was quite surprised to spot a plymouth brethren family in the liquor aisle n sainsbos on a sunday

Surely it is haram to drink, not to occupy the same premises where there might be a bottle of wine?

We often have wine at school events starting in the early evening. If people don't like it then they don't have to drink it and they shouldn't inflict their views on everyone else.

THis is basically going to be down to one buckethead trying to impose his/her silly views on everyone else - as someone else said, not all Muslims are this precious and, while they don't drink themselves, they are not bothered about what other people do.

I have checked. Muslims may not drink, but there is nothing about no wine at the PTA for others. The Qu'ran says don't pray while your mind is unclear and as it's five times a day, there isn't much time to drink and sober up again. If you don't pray five times a day, it's not a problem.

We always have alcohol at school events. I'd never get through the plays/concerts/musicals without it.

oh i lovea drink at a school event
am not alkerhorlic

It's always 6pm somewhere in the world...

We have muslims too.

And let's go the whole hog (unfortunate choice of cliche)

Would you serve pig if Jews were coming?
Would you ensure kosher snacks?
Beef if Hindus?
Any meat/fish if Jains?

People shpuld be free to make their own choices but not inflict them on others.

Libras, just for you... www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqpjT48GG_E

French beans if french people present?

We only got parents along to our parent forum when we offered wine..
Having said hat, we had wine (and soft drinks) at our school prizegiving last year (we don't charge - comes out of funds) and although I had no complaints on teh night I did get one afterwards.

oh god weblette, I am 4 months pregnant, it's cloudy and cold outside but I'm now dying for a hurricane cocktail!

HaggisAggis, are Scotch Eggs on sale at your school?

indeed - a rather ridiculous assertion where workplaces routinely serve up booze at work social events and muslim employees attend (and hav a dirnk themselves!)

parents can make up their own minds.

not a reason at all.

though agree there may be licensing problems.

There's a lot of alcohol served at our school pta fundraisers. We had it last week at the barbecue from 12-5 in the afternoon. No muslim parents here. Um, actually, it does encourage me to go to events that if sober I'd avoid with a barge pole. and chat merrily to people I'd probably not have much to say to otherwise.

For those of us who aren't naturally drawn to the PTA it's quite an incentive. the prospect of wine.